FIA Super Licence facts for kids
The FIA Super Licence is a special permit that lets a driver compete in Formula One races. Think of it like a top-level driving license just for F1! The FIA is the main group that organizes and controls motor racing around the world. They give out this Super Licence when a driver asks for it.
To get an FIA Super Licence, a driver needs to meet several important rules. First, they must already have a high-level racing permit called a Grade A competition licence. They also need to follow specific rules listed in the FIA's International Sporting Code, which is like a rulebook for racing. This rulebook explains what kind of racing experience a driver needs.
How to Qualify for a Super Licence
Drivers usually need to show they are very skilled and experienced in other racing series. Here are some ways a driver can qualify:
- They must be the champion in one of the lower FIA racing series. These include championships like Formula 3 (in places like Britain, Italy, or Japan) or Formula Two. Formula Two used to be known as GP2 or Formula 3000.
- They might not be a champion, but they must have consistently finished very well in those same racing categories. This shows they are always fast and competitive.
- Drivers who have raced in the IndyCar Series in the United States can also get a Super Licence. They need to finish in the top six places of the drivers' championship. This rule helps talented drivers from American racing move into Formula One.
In very rare and special situations, the FIA can give a Super Licence to a driver who doesn't meet all the usual rules. This can only happen if all the members of the FIA committee agree with a "yes" vote. The driver must also have completed at least 300 kilometers (about 186 miles) of testing. This testing must be done at racing speeds in a current Formula One car.
Driver Nationality on the Licence
The nationality shown on a driver's racing licence is the same as the one on their passport. This doesn't always have to be the same country that gave them their racing licence. For example, a French driver living in Germany might get their racing licence from Germany. But their nationality on the racing licence would still be French. To race as a German driver, they would also need to have German nationality. If a driver has citizenship in more than one country, they get to choose which country they want to represent when they race.
